Man convicted in absentia for aggravated robbery

Suva High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo has convicted 33-year-old Deshwar Kishore Dutt in his absentia for two counts of aggravated robbery.

Justice Temo concurred with the three assessors who found him guilty of robbing two families in Samabula on 20th July in 2014.

The court heard that Dutt with four other masked men stole assorted items with the total value of $165,863.

Dutt will be sentenced tomorrow morning.

Justice Temo has also issued a bench warrant against Dutt after he escaped from the Suva High Court this morning.

The escorting officer Sepeti Tabaiwalu told Justice Temo that he was tying his shoe lace when Dutt ran away.

Tabaiwalu told the court that they looked around but could not find him.

Justice Temo told the escorting officer that tax payers do not pay tax for their irresponsibilities.